Ominous news over the weekend. Multiple NBA sources whispered that there was a contingent of league owners eager to get a collective-bargaining deal signed, and a second, determined to drag the lockout into January or beyond, because they believe the league needs rectify a broken salary system at all costs.

This naturally leads us to ask, which side is Peter Holt on?

Theoretically, Holt would be on the side looking to get a deal done and the players on the floor. Tim Duncan might not play past the upcoming season. Manu Ginobili might play a season beyond that. After that, this team’s competitiveness likely falls off a cliff. Does Holt really want to risk losing the last seasons of two of his most popular stars?

Even if the Spurs aren’t title contenders anymore, Holt should want to squeeze as much out of the current core as possible and get butts in seats and eyes on TVs. As much as folks in San Antonio love their Spurs, I don’t expect them to turn out night-after-night for a future team whose ceiling might be an 8th seed in the Western Conference playoffs — if that. Big name teams? Sure. The Charlotte Bobcats? Probably not.

A source who deals with owners on a regular basis said that they remain determined to, if not break the union, break its current salary structure. The source said owners frequently speak of “being tired of making these guys rich” and are even contemplating asking for more, such as including income the players receive from their commercial endorsements and sponsorship money into the BRI pot — the theory being the players wouldn’t become famous and able to make such deals if not for the NBA infrastructure that puts them on television and other media.

Oh boy….

Bobcutshall

Wild guess….the rich teams like the Lakers, Knicks, Celtics, etc. want to start playing, and the teams losing money are adamant to reduce the players’ take?

Titletown99030507d

Bye Bye NBA!Â

Wdoug62

The SPURS have posted a schedule for the 2011-2012 season and are selling season tickets.Â what happens if the settlement drags on?Â Do they play all non-union players in the interim, or are the new season ticket holders going to get refunds?

B1gdon

I’m sure that Holt is looking well beyond next season in this deal. Â As one of the small market team owners, I don’t see how he can think that the Spurs will be able to compete against the Lakers, Knicks, Bulls, Mavs without a hard cap.